Best of MAC Cosmetics | Temptalia’s Favorites

I am, obviously, a long-time fan and user of MAC products. You know, the blog was started because of my love for MAC makeup, right? It’s only going through the brand’s permanent line that one realizes just how many memories and favorite products there have been over the years that are from MAC! Of course, with so many formulas and shades to choose from, I thought I’d share my favorites from some of their formulas since they are currently offering 25% off to MAC Select members (you can still join and get the discount!) both in-store and online through 12/4.

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MAC Lipstick

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MAC Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) remains a staple in many stashes because of the extensive range of colors and finishes. The permanent line alone has around 200 options! A few months, I went through and swatched all of the existing shades, so I am well-prepared for this one! Some of the more recently released shades that I’ve enjoyed have been ones like Charred, Deep Rooted, and Lavender Jade, while some classics that I favor are Captive (bold plum), Cherish (one of my first beiges), Plumful (my first “dark” shade), Velvet Teddy (a nice peach-brown), Craving (rich plum, like a more pigmented Plumful), Twig (rosy mauve), O (a shimmery, reddish plum), Crosswires (pink-coral), Brick-o-la (warm, medium-dark pink), and Viva Glam IV (shimmery plum). Here is a larger list of a lot of shades I’ve loved and worn over the years that I would recommend, check out the list and view swatches.

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MAC Liptensity Lipstick

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MAC Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a recently released new, permanent formula that features a natural finish, rich pigment, and good wear. You can check out my round-up, but here are the top four performing shades: Marsala, Galaxy Grey, Claretcast, and Mulling Spices

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MAC Viva Glam Lipstick

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MAC Viva Glam Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a long-time favorite, because it is a charity line that donates 100% of the selling price–not proceeds, profits, or some unknown amount–every penny of the price goes towards the MAC AIDS Fund. MAC releases limited edition shades that are part of the Viva Glam family each year, but the permanent shades of Viva Glam are well-worth a look. (These aren’t included in the sale, but they are so, so worth checking out.)

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MAC Lipglass

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MAC Lipglass ($16.00 for 0.16 fl. oz.) comes in several options, from sheer to opaque, cream to shimmer. I tend to prefer the more shimmery ones, as they have longer wear (due to the tackier consistency) but have a high-shine, shimmering finish that works well alone or layered on top of another lipstick. Here are a few from the permanent line I’d recommend: Explicit, Lovechild, and Nymphette.

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MAC Extra Dimension Eyeshadow

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MAC Extra Dimension Eyeshadow ($20.00 for 0.04 oz.) is a pigmented pressed eyeshadow that can be used wet or dry and has a lot of shimmer to it. Some of the ones I’ve loved have been Silver Sun, Sea Worship, and Fathoms Deep.

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MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish

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MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish ($33.00 for 0.31 oz.) is finally a permanent product! There are only four shades so far, but here’s hoping we’ll see even more going forward. From the permanent line, these are my top two picks: Double-Gleam and Soft Frost.

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MAC Pigment

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MAC Pigment ($22.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a loose, multi-tasking product, but I tend to use mine on the eyes! They are a lot less messy than typical loose eyeshadows because there are binding ingredients in it, which help it apply, adhere, and blend on the skin without falling out during application. Here are some of my favorites: Chartreuse, Golden Olive, Museum Bronze, and Heritage Rouge.

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MAC Vamplify

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MAC Vamplify ($20.00 for 0.16 fl. oz.) is still a limited edition formula (make it permanent, MAC, please!), but there are several shades still available to purchase! Of the ones available, I highly recommend: Anything but Demure, Fab Tested, What’s Going On, and Tuned In.

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MAC Pro Longwear Blush

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MAC Pro Longwear Blush ($28.00 for oz.) has some of my real must-have blushes from the brand, as I tend to prefer blushes with more of a satin to luminous finish. These are my favorites: I’m a Lover, Make You Mine, Eternal Sun, and Fleeting Romance.

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MAC Brushes

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MAC Brushes are well-known; despite having numbers, so many of them are used by those in the beauty community! The ones I reach for the most are: 239 (all-over eyeshadow application, blending), 242 (cream eyeshadow application), 266 (brows), 205 (mascara), and 158 (cream blush/contour)